Northamptonshire comes fifth in England obesity league of shame

David Brennan

Northamptonshire has the fifth highest percentage of people who are overweight in England, a new report has revealed.

Public Health England (PHE) says more than two-thirds (67.5 per cent) of people in Northamptonshire are classed as overweight or obese. The English average is 63.8 per cent and only Cumbria, Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire and Staffordshire have higher rates.

Professor Kevin Fenton, Director of Health and Wellbeing at PHE said: “Local authorities are ideally placed to develop co-ordinated action across their departments, services and partner organisations to tackle overweight and obesity in the local population. Many local authorities are already working hard to reduce obesity levels and these new data will help all local areas monitor their progress in tackling these longstanding problems. Public Health England is committed to supporting local government and the local NHS.

“People who are overweight or obese have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers. Excess weight can also affect self-esteem and mental health. Overall health problems associated with being overweight or obese cost the NHS over £5 billion each year.

“There is no silver bullet to reducing obesity; it is a complex issue that requires action at individual, family, local and national levels. We can all play our part in this by eating a healthy balanced diet and being more active.”

On the positive side, as shown in previously published data from the Health Survey for England, the rate of increase in overweight and obese adults has slowed in recent years and in children, levels are stabilising.